Placostylus hongii

Placostylus hongii is a species of very large, air-breathing land snail, a terrestrial pulmonate gastropod mollusc in the family Bulimulidae, the bulimulus snails and their allies.

Distribution

This species is endemic to Northland in the North Island of New Zealand. It is found from Whangaroa to Bream Head, the Poor Knights Islands, Chicken Island, and Great Barrier Island, but most of the mainland colonies are now extinct.

Shell description

The shell is moderately large, dark reddish-brown, the suture is submargined by a white line, the callused lip is creamy-buff, and the interior of the aperture is orange to bright red. In a small protected colony at Whangaruru 90% of the individuals are albinos, with both the lip and the interior of the aperture porcellanous-white. The shell height is up to 85 mm, and width up to 37 mm.

Conservation status

Placostylus hongii is classified by the New Zealand Department of Conservation as Range Restricted.

References

• Powell A W B, New Zealand Mollusca, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1
• New Zealand Department of Conservation Threatened Species Classification